Massage Therapy: Certificate

Thrive. Become a massage therapist.

Enhance your livelihood through improving the mind, body and spirit of others.

Program Description

Extending applications for Fall 2020 until June 1st* at 5pm.

*date subject to change due to COVID-19.

Accepting applications for Fall 2020 from January 13th- May 11th at 5pm.

As of May 18, 2020 math and science courses must be completed within the last 5 years to be considered for Health Science applications.

In Fall 2020 TCL Massage Therapy program will offer a Daytime schedule for courses. The Daytime schedule is a full-time course load organized within three full days per week (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, avg. 8.5 hours per day), completed in three semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer). Students build a strong academic foundation as well as developing refined technical skills, and the TCL Massage Therapy program has maintained a 100% completion rate for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) for over a decade. The deadline for completed applications is Monday, June 1.

Students interested in the Massage Therapy program are invited to visit the campus, speak with our current students, and schedule time to observe class in session. For more information contact Denise Van Nostran, Director of Massage Therapy, dmvannostran@tcl.edu.

Massage Therapists work to improve the health and well-being of their clients through the manipulation of muscle and connective tissues in a variety of techniques.

Licensed Massage Therapists may work as small business owners, as independent contractors or employees in spas or salons, in corporate offices, or in hospitals or other medical settings. The TCL Massage Therapy program prepares graduates to succeed on the paths of their choice.

Technical College of the Lowcountry’s 750-hour, three-semester, 31-credit-hour Massage Therapy training program is offered entirely at the New River Campus in Bluffton.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A HEALTH SCIENCE ADVISOR PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION. CALL 843-525-8267 FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

Certify Your Skills

Successful completion of the Massage Therapy program, including coursework and supervised clinical practice, makes students eligible for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, fulfilling requirements for licensure in the state of South Carolina.

Accreditation & Accolades

The Massage Therapy program of the Technical College of the Lowcountry is the only program in the State of South Carolina to be awarded accreditation by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). TCL is already accredited as an institution through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). COMTA program accreditation applies rigorous standards specifically for the Massage Therapy curriculum, program management, and teacher qualifications. Out of the nearly 1,500 massage schools in the U.S., fewer than 100 have achieved and maintain COMTA accreditation.

Program Director Denise Van Nostran serves as Vice-Chair of the South Carolina Massage Therapy Panel, and has been appointed to the 11 member Commission for Massage Therapy Accreditation, the governing body responsible for evaluating accreditation applications from massage therapy programs across the nation.

Quick Facts

TCL’s Massage Therapy program is the region’s best and most affordable option.

Quick Fact 2

The 750 hour Massage Therapy program is completed within three semesters.

Quick Fact 3

Employment for Massage Therapists will continue to grow.

What People Are Saying

“Our graduates are in demand. Because of COMTA accreditation, our successful track record, and the employment opportunities in our area, students are relocating here to enroll in the program.” ”

Denise Van NostranProgram Director

FAQs & Additional Information

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Important Additional Admission Requirements

All Massage Therapy credit hours must be in-class with supervised instruction; distance learning may not be applied to this program.

Applicants interested in the Massage Therapy program must first complete the college admission application process. The student will then make an appointment to meet with a Health Sciences Advisor. Acceptance into the college does not guarantee admission into a health sciences program. Applications for admission to the Massage Therapy program may only be obtained from Health Sciences advisors. Call 843.525.8267 for additional information and to schedule an appointment with an advisor.

What does this program cost?*

Tuition: 31 credits x $190 per credit = $5,890.

Remember, this is before S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and other financial aid, which could drop your costs by more than half. In fact, after financial aid, many TCL students attend for free.

*Based on Fall 2019 in-state, in-service-area tuition. Your actual cost may differ. Does not include fees, books and other costs. Qualifications vary.

Additional Career & Education Opportunities:

South Carolina’s annual mean wage for massage therapists is $39,660, according to 2017 reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That average includes both full-time and part-time massage therapists. Earnings can increase substantially with time and experience.

The TCL Massage Therapy program may be included in a General Technology Associates Degree, allowing students to obtain a two-year degree if that is their goal. Please speak with your Health Sciences advisor for more information.

Is this program for you?

Yes, particularly if you:

• Enjoy work that involves movement and fitness
• Have a compassionate, caring spirit for others
• Have an interest in holistic health
• Want to be part of a profession that is highly in demand
• Seek flexible employment options